World Bank Reports Nigeria's Rise as Africa's AI Leader

The World Bank's October 2026 Africa Economic Update titled “Building AI Readiness” indicates that Nigeria is becoming one of Africa's leading artificial intelligence (AI) hubs, with 44% of firms in Nigeria and Kenya deploying AI technologies. The report highlights that AI activity is concentrated in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, which are responsible for much of the continent's AI innovation and research output.

While AI adoption among firms with at least 20 employees in Nigeria and Kenya is comparable to advanced economies, the sophistication of deployment is lower. The report states that only 36% of AI-using firms in developing countries utilize AI for automation, compared to 56% in the United States.

Nigeria produced 4,428 AI publications and received 64,925 citations from 2000 to 2024, making it a key center for AI research alongside South Africa. However, the World Bank warns that weak electricity, connectivity, and digital infrastructure could impede the economic benefits of AI in Nigeria and other African nations.